Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus



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United States Patent 3,272,380 BEVERAGE CARBONATIN G AND DISPENSINGAPPARATUS William H. Jacobs, Brookline, Edwin H. Nahikian, Wayland, andAlfred Armstrong, Norwood, Mass., assignors to Product R & D,Incorporated, Waltham, Mass., a

corporation of Massachusetts Griginai application Oct. 5, 1961, Ser. No.146,063.

Divided and this application Oct. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 416,666

4 Claims. (Cl. 220-39) This application is a divisional application ofUS. patent application Serial No. 146,063 filed October 5, now PatentNo. 3,206,069 issued September 14,

This invention relates to devices and methods for making and dispensingcarbonated beverages, and more particularly to the type of apparatusused in soda fountains, restaurants, and similar establishments whichserve carbonated beverages for immediate consumption.

One typical example of present carbonated beverage dispensers consistsessentially of adischarge nozzle mounted on a counter or stand connectedthrough piping to a replaceable storage container filled rwith pre-mixedcarbonated beverage. The beverage runs through a cold plate orrefrigerating unit as it passes to the nozzle. A pressurized cylinder ofcarbon dioxide is connected to the container but is used not forcarbonatin-g but merely as a source of pressure for discharging thebeverage through the nozzle. These devices are adapted only for coolingand dispensing pre-mixed carbonated beverage purchased from a commercialcarbonating or bottling plant in sealed storage containers of suitablesize.

Some soda fountains and similar establishments have their owncarbonating equipment installed on the premises. These canbonators aresmaller versions of the equipment used by beverage manufacturers andoperate on the same principle, by spraying 'water into a pressure tankof carbon dioxide and withdrawing the carbonated liquid. Suchcarbonators are costly, fairly large and cumbersome, and operate at highpressure, for example 75 to 100 pounds per square inch, so that theyfall in the class of pressure vessel equipment which is subject tospecial safety regulations in most localities. A high capacity pump isrequired for injecting the water into the eanbonating tank or pressurevessel. For these reasons it is not feasible to mount such equipment atthe point of sale. The carbonator is usually mounted in the basement orsome other remote location, and connected by piping to dispensingnozzles on the service counter. The piping may pass through a cold plateor refrigerating element. Because of the difficulty of cleaning such aninstallation, this type of equipment is used, ordinarily, merely as asource of carbonated Water. The beverage is mixed at the point of saleeither in the glass or by means of a mixing nozzle which injects syrupinto the water as it is dispensed into a glass.

Both the common types of carbonated beverage dispenser just describedhave certain limitations. For example, most people prefer carbonatedbeverages served at or near the melting temperature of ice. To achievethis temperature by means of the usual refrigerating element it would benecessary to run the refrigerating coil at a considerably lowertemperature, about 0 F. This is not practicable, because the carbonatedliquid is likely to freeze in the supply pipe. Ice is sometimes added tothe drink in the glass, but this dilutes the beverage. F-urthermore,these devices cannot maintain the optimum degree of carbonation forpalatability, Which is up to 4 or 5 volumes of carbonation.

An important object of this invention is to provide a combinedcarbonating and dispensing device which is sufiiciently compact to bemounted in its entirety at the point of sale, for example on a lunchcounter, which is capable of maintaining and dispensing carbonatedbeverage at the preferred drinking temperature, that is at or evensomewhat below 32, which may be readily dismantled for cleaning andre-assembled by an unskilled attendant, which operates at pressures lowenough for safe use in public locations, which is considerably lessexpensive to manufacture, install, and operate than the equipmentheretofore available and yet produces a beverage of superior carbonationand flavor, and which is adaptable either .for carbonating uncarbonatedliquids, or for maintaining and refreshing a beverage supplied in car-'bonated form.

The new apparatus consists of a pressure vessel or carbonating tankwhich is kept partially filled with mixed beverage, a circulating pumpmounted entirely within the vessel and driven through magnetic couplingby a motor outside the vessel, and means for maintaining a head ofcarbon dioxide in the vessel above the liquid. The tank is refrigerated,for example, by refrigerating coils surrounding its lower part.v Thepump continuously circulates liquid from the lower part of the tank upthrough a standpipe which discharges the liquid into the head of carbondioxide. The liquid thus discharged becomes carbonated by passagethrough the gas and flows back to the lower part of the tank where itagain enters the pump for re-circulation through the carbon dioxidehead. The tank is provided with a built-in dispensing valve by whichportions of the carbonated and refrigerated beverage may be withdrawn asdesired.

As the entire liquid contents of the tank are continuously circulated,the refrigerating coils may be kept at a low enough temperature to chillthe beverage to the freezing point of water or even a little below, (forexample around 30 F. The beverage when discharged is thus at the desiredtemperature for drinking.

As is well known, the maximum quantity of gas which can be entrained ina liquid varies according to the pressure and inversely with thetemperature of the liquid. If the temperature of the liquid to becarbonated is lowered, the .gas pressure required for a certain degreeof carbonation is correspondingly reduced. Furthermore, by continuouslyre-circulating the liquid through the car bon dioxide head, instead ofpassing the liquid through the gas only once, as is customary inprevious carbonators, the theoretical maximum carbonation for a giventemperature and pressure will be closely approached. [For both thesereasons it is possible to obtain with the new apparatus operating atless than 30 pounds per square inch, 2. degree of carbonation higherthan that obtained by the previously known common types of carbonatorswhich operate at to pounds .per square inch.

The carbonating tank is preferably connected to a source of mixedbeverage, from which liquid is supplied from time to time to replenishthe beverage withdrawn from the tank. Preferably the liquid supply iscontrolled by a suitable level control, such as a float-operated valve.

The tank in the specific example here shown is constructed in two parts,a lower bowl and an upper dome, connected together by a coupling ringwhich forms a pressure-tight joint. These parts can be readilydismantled by hand to expose the inside of the tank for cleaning. Thepump is also constructed so that it can be readily removed for cleaning.

Other objects, advantages and novel features will be apparent from the(following detailed description.

In the drawings illustrating the invention:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a carbonating and dispensingdevice constructed according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is arear elevation of the device, partsof the casing and domebeing shown cut away, with the liquid and carbon dioxide supply systemshown schematically;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along line 44 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the lower bowl and refrigerating coilassembly;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken along line 66 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-section taken in the region ofthe circulating pump;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the lower bowl and its jacket;

' FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail, partly in cross-section, taken in theregion of the upper end of the standpipe and illustrating amodification; and 7 FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross-section illustratinga modified form of carbon dioxide distribution system.

The storage and carbonating tank, generally indicated by the numeral 20,is mounted on a stand, generally indicated by the numeral 21, which alsohouses a refrigerating unit, (not shown) which may be of any suitableconstruction. The stand has a shelf 21a on which a cup (shown in dottedoutline in FIG. 1) or other receptacle may be placed for filling. Thecarbonating and storage tank is designed to operate as a pressurevessel, and consists of a dome 22 preferably made of transparentplastic, and a bowl 23, made of corrosion resistant non-magneticmaterial, such as stainless steel. The dome has an internally threadedlower rim 22a which is engaged by a threaded ring 24 rotatablysurrounding the bowl and held captive by an overhanging lip 25 on thebowl. The dome has an internal groove27 in which a compressible gasket28, of rubber or similar material, is disposed. The gasket engages theupper surface of lip 25 to form a seal, when ring 24 has been turned inthe proper direction to draw dome 2'2 downward. The ring has four tabs24a projecting beyond the dome to provide hand grips.

The bowl 23 is surrounded by a refrigerating coil 29 having ends 29a and29b extending downward into the stand and connected to a suitablerefrigerating apparatus which circulates refrigerant through the coiland may be thermostatically controlled according to well known practice.

The coil is secured to the bowl by tabs 30. The bowl is surrounded by ajacket 31, preferably made of plastic, and is mounted on the stand bymeans of studs 31b extending through the jacket and secured to the standin any suitable manner. The jacket which preferably contains thermalinsulation (not shown) has a downwardly projecting lip 31a which tendsto cause moisture condensing on the outside to collect and drip off atthis point. The stand has a cover piece 32 with an upstanding lip 32aforming a trough 33 under lip 31a to catch drippings. The trough extendsaround the rear and sides of the jacket and slopes toward the front sothat the collected moisture will run down to shelf 21a which is providedwith a drip tray 34.

The bowl 23 has a cylindrical well 35 surrounded by a shallowring-shaped depression 36. A circular cap 37, preferably made of moldedplastic, is disposed over the well and has a flat rim portion 37a whichis seated in depression 36. This rim portion carries sloping upstandingprojections 38 which engage under tabs 39 attached to the bowl, to lockthe cap in place. The cap has edge notches 40, and can be removed byturning to bring the notches into register with tab 39. A volute-shapedinverted trough 41 is formed in the cap, and the cap has intake ports 42communicating with this trough.

The cap 37 has an upstanding handle portion 37b by which it maybegrasped and turned for'removal. ,A metal shaft 43 is fixed in thehandle portion, for example by molding or pressing the shaft into thecap material. A circular impeller 44 is rotatably suspended on the shaftand carries pump vanes 45 which are disposed in trough 41. The impelleris preferably made of molded plastic and has a magnet 46 encased in itslower portion. The cap has a discharge opening 47 communicating withtrough 41, surrounded by a nipple 48 in which a standpipe 49 is mounted,and also has an auxiliary discharge port 47a. A second magnet 50 ismounted outside bowl 23 and jacket 31 directly under well 35 and isrotatably driven, for example, by an electric motor (not shown) mountedin stand 21. Magnets 50 and 46 are so polarized that the former drivesthe latter by magnetic coupling to rotate impeller 44. Liquid is thusdrawn in through ports 42 and pumped through trough 41 up throughstandpipe 49 into the upper part of the tank, and out through port 47a,when the pump is running.

A liquid supply tube 51 extends through bowl 23 and jacket 31 forsupplying beverage to the tank. A tube 52 for supplying carbon dioxideto the pressure vessel and a pressure relief tube 53 also pass throughthe bowl and jacket. Both tubes 52 and 53 extend up into dome 22 andhave down-turned upper end portions to prevent accidential entrance ofliquid into them.

A float 54 is mounted in bowl 23 for control of the liquid level in amanner to be later described. This float is hollow, air-tight, anddoughnut shaped, and is made of material such as molded plastic. Inslides up and down on a stem 55 fixed in the bowl. A ring-shaped magnet56 is encased in the float. A mercury switch 57 of well known type,having a pair of contacts mounted on a tiltable vessel 58 containing aglobule of mercury, is mounted in the stand 21 immediately below thefloat. Vessel 58 is mounted on a lever 59 tiltable about pivot 60 andtilted by means of a link 61 connected to a magnet 62. When the liquidlevel in bowl 23 falls below a certain position, float 54 approaches thebottom of the bowl and its magnet 56 attracts magnet 62, tilting vessel58 to close the switch contacts.

A dispenser valve 63, which may be of any commercially available typesuitable for dispensing carbonated beverages from a tank, is mounted inthe forward part of bowl 23 above shelf 21a.

The system for supplying liquid and carbon dioxide to the carbonatingtank, formed by bowl 23 and dome 22 and their sealing connection, isshown in FIG. 3. The liquid is supplied from a closed storage tank 64connected through a solenoid valve 65, to the fluid inlet tube 51 by apipe line 66. Compressed carbon dioxide is supplied from a suitablesource, such as a pressurized cylinder 67, connected through a manualshut-off valve 68, a pressure regulating valve 68a, and a pressurereducing valve 69, to the carbon dioxide intake tube 52 by a pipe line70. A by-pass line 71 is connected between valve 68a and tank 64.Solenoid valve 65, which is of the type normally closed whendeenergized, is connected by suitable Wiring in series with a source ofelectric power 72, which may be AC. and mercury switch 57. The solenoidis thus energized when float 54 drops low enough to cause the contactsof the mercury switch to close, as has been previously described.

The pressure relief tube 53 is connected to a pressure relief valve 73of the type designed to open automatically at a predetermined pressurelevel, and an automatic valve 74, which may be manually operated.

The storage tanks may be placed in any convenient location and thepiping connections brought into the device in any suitable manner. Thedrawing illustrates schematically a typical installation in which thedispensing device is mounted on a counter 75 and the piping connectionsbrought up through stand 21 from storage tanks mounted below thecounter. It is understood that the carbonating device is also equippedwith suitable circuits for operating the motor which drives the magnetically coupled circulation pump, and the refrigerating unit, in amanner well known in the art.

The operation of the device is as follows:

At the start of operations, when the carbonating tank is empty, float 54is at its lowest position and switch 57 is closed, so that theenergizing circuit to valve 65 is closed and the valve is open. Byopening the manual valve 68, which may be the shut-ofl valve with whicha cylinder of compressed carbon dioxide is normally equipped, gas underpressure is allowed to flow through regulator 68a into tank 64, creatinga pressure head in that tank and driving liquid up into the carbonatingtank through tube 51. The pressure may be regulated by means of valve68a. Gas simultaneously flows through reducing valve 69 and tube 52 intothe upper part of the carbonating tank. During the initial fillingoperation manual valve 74 is momentarily opened a few times, both torelieve gas pressure in the carbonating tank, thus permitting fasterfilling, and to purge the tank, that is permit the air to escape.

When the liquid level in the carbonating tank reaches a point where thebuoyancy of float 54 is suflicient to cause it to rise off the bottom ofbowl 23, switch 57 opens, breaking the circuit to the solenoid valve 65,and this valve closes. The float is designed to such proportions thatthe liquid is shut ofl when the carbonating tank is only partly filled,leaving a space above, which is filled with carbon dioxide. Thecirculating pump and refrigerating unit may be started at this time, orearlier, at the start of or during the filling operation.

After the carbonating tank has been filled, as just described, thedevice will operate automatically until it is again shut down forcleaning or replenishment of the liquid and carbon dioxide supply tanks.A head of carbon dioxide is constantly maintained in tank 20 at apressure determined by the gas pressure in tank 67, the adjustment ofvalve 68a, and the reduction created by valve 69. The liquid iscontinuously circulated by the circulation pump from the lower part oftank 20 up through standpipe 49 into the head of carbon dioxide in dome22. The liquid is sprayed against the under side of the dome and runsdown the sides of the tank all around. Carbonation results fromentrapment of gas in the liquid passing through the carbon dioxide head.The liquid in tank 20 is simultaneously chilled by refrigerating coil29. The discharge of liquid through port 47a sets up a swirling actionto maintain continuous motion of the liquid in the lower part of thetank.

The operating pressure desired varies for different types of drinks, forexample, ginger ale is preferably carbonated at 24 to 28 pounds persquare inch, cola drinks at 20 to 25 pounds, and some fruit drinks atpressures as low as 12 to 16 pounds, but in no case is a pressure higherthan 30 pounds required to produce a palatable carbonated drink withthis device.

The device may be used either for carbonating a noncarbonated beverageor for maintaining and improving carbonation of a beverage which hasbeen previously carbonated by other means. If the beverage is suppliedin carbonated form from tank 64, drinks may be dispensed from tank 20through the dispensing valve 64 as soon as the beverage has been chilledto the desired temperature. When the beverage is supplied innoncarbonated form, it may be necessary to wait a little longer untilthe beverage in tank 20 has been carbonated to the desired degree. Thecontinuous carbonating action of the device will thereafter maintain thecarbonation at the desired level under normal conditions of demand.

When the liquid level in tank 20 falls below a certain level, causingfloat 54 to drop to the bottom of bowl 233, switch 57 is again closedand valve 65 is opened to admit more liquid. Reducing valve 69establishes a differential between the pressure in tank 20 and that intank 64 which is directly connected to tank 67, to drive liquid up intotank 20. This differential must, of course, be suflicient to raise theliquid the required distance and can be calculated by well knownformulas, depending on the height of tank 20 above tank 64. For atypical installation where the carbonating and dispensing device isplaced on a drug store counter and the supply tank is set on the floor,a pressure differential of about 5 pounds per square inch is adequate.

When the liquid level in the carbonating tank again rises to a pointwhere the float 54 moves away from the bottom of the tank, switch 57 isopened and valve is closed. There is a differential between the openingand closing levels for the valve because, when more liquid is called forby the closing of switch 57, the level must rise sufliciently toovercome, not only the weight of the float, but the force of the mutualattraction of magnets 56 and 62. When this level is reached, float 54breaks away from the bottom and immediately rises a certain distance,and magnet 62 simultaneously drops further away from the bottom of thetank. The liquid level must again fall a certain distance before float54 approaches the bottom closely enough to operate switch 57. Thisarrangement eliminates chattering or constant on-off operation of valve65 and insures positive operation of the float and switch control onboth the opening and closing cycles. Replacement is called for onlyafter a substantial amount of beverage, for example enough for a dozenservings, has been withdrawn from tank 20, and valve 65, once opened,will remain open until an equal quantity of new beverage has beensupplied to the tank.

The hemispherical shape of dome 22 and its proximity to the upper end ofstandpipe 49 serve to deflect and distribute the liquid discharged fromthe standpipe substantially equally in all directions toward the sidesof the tank through the headof carbon dioxide and maintain agitation andcirculation of the liquid in the region of the refrigerating coils. FIG.9 illustrates an alternative deflecting arrangement, which may be used,for example, if the upper portion of the carbonating tank were madehigher or of a different shape or if quicker carbonating is desired. InFIG. 9 the standpipe 80, which corresponds in function to standpipe 49,has a shoulder 80a on which a ring 81 is disposed. A shallowfrustospherical baflie or umbrella 82 is supported above the upper endof standpipe 80 by means of rods 83 attached to ring 81. The umbrellaserves to deflect the discharged liquid in all directions toward thesides of the tank, and also provides more surface area of liquid exposedto the gas and produces quicker carbonation in any shape tank.

FIG. 10 illustrates a modification of the pump for producing quickercarbonation. The cap 84, which is other- Wise similar to cap 37, carriesa tube 85 which extends up into the carbon dioxide head above the liquidlevel in the tank, and the lower end 85a of the tube into port 47a. Thedischarge of liquid through port 47a creates a pressure drop in theregion of the lower end of tube 85, and, as a result, carbon dioxide isdrawn from the head and discharged into and circulated with the liquid.

When it is necessary to dismantle the apparatus for cleaning, the manualcontrol valve 68 on the carbon dioxide supply cylinder is closed. Thecarbonating tank is then drained through valve 63, and the pressure released by opening valve 74 in the pressure relief tube 53. Due to thefriction on the large threaded area between the ring 24 and the dome 22,it is practically impossible to turn either while any pressure remainsin the tank. This safety feature prevents opening of the tank underpressure. Once the pressure has been released, ring 24 can be turnedeasily. To open the tank, ring 24 is manually turned by means of tabs24a in a direction to raise dome 22. It will be noted that by turningthe ring, a vertical separating force is exerted between gasket 28 andlip 25. When the tank is in use the gasket tends to flow around andstick to the lip, and it might be quite difficult to separate the twoinitially by turning the dome. The seal can be broken quite readily byturning ring 24, as this involves no circumferential motion between thegasket and the lip. Once the two have been separated, the dome may beeasily unscrewed from the lower bowl. The standpipe 49 and float 54 canbe lifted out, and the pump removed, leaving the entire interior of thelower bowl accessible for cleaning.

As has been previously mentioned, the new carbonating device is capableof chilling the beverage to the freez: ing temperature of water or evena little below, because all the beverage which is being refrigerated iscontinuously circulated. The beverage, when discharged, is thus at thedesired drinking temperature and requires no ice. Furthermore, thebeverage will hold its carbonation after it is withdrawn longer than abeverage dispensed at higher temperatures, for example, 35 to 40 R,which is the operating temperature for other types of carbonatedbeverage dispensers. This device also achieves a high degree ofcarbonation at low pressures, both because the beverage is carbonated atlow temperature and because the continuous re-circulation through thecarbon dioxide head produces and maintains the maximum entrainment ofgas for the particular temperature and pressure conditions. For example,this apparatus operating at a pressure of less than 30 pounds per squareinch will produce beverage of a carbon dioxide content of 4 to 5volumes, as compared to 3.5 volumes which is the content of carbonatedgeverages made in the usual Way.

It has also been found that this apparatus and method of carbonatingproduces beverages of superior flavor and aroma. Many syrupconcentrates, for example those for mixing cola beverages, containaromatic fiavorings which .are highly volatile and tend to escape intoany empty space in the bottle or container in which the beverage -isstored. In this apparatus, any volatile substances which escape into theupper part of the carbonating tank are continually recaptured byentrainment along with the carbon dioxide as the beverage circulatesthrough the pressure head. The beverage thus retains a high content ofaromatics when dispensed. Furthermore, the aromatic substances restoredto the liquid by circulation through the carbon dioxide head are mixedwith the gas, which is released in the form of bubbles as the beverageis consumed, thus enhancing the aroma.

Another advantage of this device and method is that the pump. is usedmerely to circulate the beverage within the carbonating tank, and asmall pump of very low power requirements will suflice for this purpose.In comparison, carbonators in which water is drawn from a source atatmospheric pressure outside the. tank and sprayed into a high pressurecarbon dioxide head in the tank, require expensive and cumbersome pumpswith high power consumption.

It is understood that the new device and method of carbonating is heredescribed in detail by way of illustration, and variations may be madewithout departing 8 from the scope of the invention as defined in theclaims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. Beverage carbonating and dispensing apparatus comprising a bowlhaving a circular side wall,

an externally threaded ring surrounding and rotatable with respect tosaid side wall,

a projection interconnecting the ring and the bowl limiting the upwardmovement of the ring on said bowl,

a cover overlying said bowl and having an internally threaded ribadapted to be screwed onto the external threads on said ring, said coverbeing completely removable from said ring and bowl,

and a gasket forming a seal between the cover and bowl when the cover isscrewed tightly onto the ring with the ring in its uppermost position onthe bowl.

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 further characterized by said ringhaving hand grips projecting outside said bowl and cover forfacilitating rotation of the ring to draw the cover downwardly on thebowl after the cover has been threaded onto the ring.

3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 further characterized by aninternal groove provided in the cover and said gasket disposed withinthe groove and engaging the top of the side wall when the cover isscrewed tightly onto said ring.

4. A beverage tank comprising a bowl open at the top,

an externally threaded ring secured to the bowl below the top and freeto turn about the bowl,

a cover having an internally threaded downwardly extending skirt aboutits periphery adapted to be screwed on the ring,

an internal groove provided on the skirt above the threads on the cover,

an inwardly extending gasket disposed with its outer edge in the grooveand positioned so that its lower side engages the upper edge of the bowlwhen the bowl is screwed down on the ring, the upper side of the gasketbeing exposed to the atmosphere in the tank,

rotation of the ring on the bowl moving the cover up or down on the bowlwithout relative rotation between the bowl and cover.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1934 Jensen220-39 9/1952 Benson 220-39 LOUIS G. MANCENE, J. B. MARBERT Assist-antExaminers.

1. BEVERAGE CARBONATING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS COMPRISING A BOWLHAVING A CIRCULAR SIDE WALL, AN EXTERNALLY THREADED RING SURROUNDING ANDROTATABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAID SIDE WALL, A PROJECTION INTERCONNECTINGTHE RING AND THE BOWL LIMITING THE UPWARD MOVEMENT OF THE RING ON SAIDBOWL, A COVER OVERLYING SAID BOWL AND HAVING AN INTERNALLY THREADED RIBADAPTED TO BE SCREWED ONTO THE EXTERNAL THREADS ON SAID RING, SAID COVERBEING COMPLETELY REMOVABLE FROM SAID RING AND BOWL, AND A GASKET FORMINGA SEAL BETWEEN THE COVER AND BOWL WHEN THE COVER IS SCREWED TIGHTLY ONTOTHE RING WITH THE RING IN ITS UPPERMOST POSITION ON THE BOWL.